International Sorghum and Millet Collaborative Research Support Program (INTSORMIL CRSP)
Date of this Version
8-29-2008
Document Type
Article
Citation
INTSORMIL Impact (August 29, 2008)
Abstract
The aphids Melanaphis sacchari (sugarcane aphid) in Africa and Schizaphis graminum (greenbug, see above) in the United States; panicle bugs; sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola; stalk borers and termites infest and reduce yields of sorghum. The millet head miner, Heliocheilus albipunctella, reduces grain yield and quality of pearl millet.
INTSORMIL entomologist Bonnie Pendleton, West Texas A&M University, collaborates with African scientists to develop management strategies for sorghum and millet insects. Emphasis is on developing plants resistant to pests. Hundreds of sorghum and pearl millet genotypes have been evaluated by INTSORMIL scientists for grain yield and quality and resistance to insects in the field in Botswana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, South Africa, and the United States.
IER scientists Niamoye Yaro Diarisso and Mamourou Diourté found crosses of Malisor 84-7 and improved sorghums resistant to panicle bugs and grain mold in Mali. Four sorghums from the United States tested had high levels of resistance to panicle bugs, grain mold (photo right) and the sorghum midge (photo left).